(Ha'aretz) Danny Rubinstein - Barring any change in Palestinian public opinion in the coming weeks, the evacuation of Israel from Gaza will leave control over the Strip in the hands of Hamas. The Hamas victory in the municipal elections in Gaza was impressive. Hamas is perceived in Gaza as being on the verge of receiving the Gaza Strip, without anything given to the retreating Israelis in return. Hamas does not recognize the State of Israel and supports the continuation of the armed struggle. Hamas publications continue to refer to Israel as the "Zionist entity" and to the "occupied territories of 1948." Palestine in its entirety is defined as belonging to the Waqf (Muslim religious trust).
2005-05-09 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive